New Creston trail project underway

Another trails project is now under construction. When completed in three phases, a rough figure 8 will weave through the former Crestbrook Forest Industries property south of Cook Street.

“This project is a partnership of the Trails for Creston Valley Society, the Town of Creston and the Creston Rotary Club,” said Coun. Judy Gadicke.

The first phase, now underway, will start at Cedar Street and run along Dodd Creek to Ninth Avenue, where it will connect with town sidewalks.

The area was chosen for trails because construction will soon begin on a low-cost housing project, and several rental properties are also being built near Cedar Street.

“We want to encourage people to walk and this is already a popular area,” Gadicke said. “Another advantage is that all the property is owned by the Town of Creston, so we don’t have to work to get permission from private owners.”

The trail portion that runs along Dodd (also known locally as Dead Horse) Creek will be dedicated to the memory of Steve Hernandez, a town employee who died recently after a bicycle accident.

“The night before Steve’s accident we had a trails committee meeting and he promoted that path as one of our projects,” she said. “He was really committed to our community trails and loved to cycle along the creek. One person who walked it recently referred to the area as ‘Creston’s Central Park’. It’s a hidden gem.”

Gadicke said the new trail network will eventually include benches and picnic tables, and a series of exercise stations. Also being proposed is an off-leash dog park, something the town is lacking.

“Dog owners need a spot to exercise their dogs and a park would likely decrease the number of dogs on the trails,” she said.

An open house at Town Hall will soon be scheduled to allow residents to see the trail plans and ask questions.

“We will also be scheduling work bee days for anyone who wants to volunteer,” she said. “A lot of people have been asking about how they can help out.”